Coming Out and Health: The Social Context of Queer Well-Being

Abstract

Emerging research shows that the association between disclosure of sexual and gender identity and health depends on social ties and support. However, most studies conceptualize “outness” as a binary or linear continuum, overlooking relational nuance. Building on minority stress theory and the linked-lives perspective, this study examines relationship-specific disclosure patterns and their implications for health and well-being among Taiwanese LGBTQ+ individuals. Taiwan offers a unique context, where dense social ties create both pressures and opportunities for disclosure. And National Health Insurance (NHI) system provides equal access to health resources and removes related financial barriers. Using data from the 2022 National LGBTI Survey in Taiwan (N = 13,104), Latent Class Analysis identifies three distinct disclosure profiles. The results show that different patterns of outness are associated with distinct mental and physical health outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals, with low or selective disclosure initially linked to higher anxiety, depression, and poorer self-rated health. However, once discrimination and interpersonal resources were considered, selective or lower disclosure combined with strong perceived social support and parental support was associated with comparable or sometimes better health outcomes than high disclosure. It suggests that, within the Taiwanese context, selective disclosure in trusted relationships may function as an adaptive strategy for balancing protection from stigma and access to social support. And these findings underscore the heterogeneity of disclosure experiences and highlight health disparities shaped by relational contexts outside of the U.S.